Once again, the House passed another, slightly adjusted form of S-CHIP. The bill would ensure that children in families that make less than three times the poverty level have health insurance. It sounds like good policy to make sure that our children stay healthy, but many Republicans seem to feel differently.
From The New York Times:
Supporters of the new bill said it addressed all the major concerns that prompted Republicans to oppose the earlier version. The measure, they said, would end coverage of childless adults, ban coverage of illegal immigrants and generally prohibit states from covering children in families with incomes above three times the poverty level — $61,950 for a family of four.
Ms. Pelosi said the restrictions on adults, illegal immigrants and high-income families were clear in the first bill and “are even clearer in the second bill.”
But Mr. Bush said his concerns had not been addressed “in a meaningful way.” He derided the new bill as “more of the same,” and many Republican lawmakers said the changes were insignificant.
“The new bill puts lipstick on a sow,” said Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, Republican of New York. “Today is raw politics — trotting out a vote just for the sake of a vote.”
The House Republican leader, Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, said, “This is nothing more than a political game, getting ready for the next election.”
One hundred and forty two Republican Congressmen and President Bush are more afraid of cigarette taxes, illegal immigrants and a solid government program that works than giving these benefits to our nation's children. Their excuses are sad and pathetic, as their records clearly show through the years. So why should this be any different? As long as their kids have insurance, they could give a damn about anyone else's, even their own constituents.
And as for Boehner's quote that this is nothing more than a political game....him and his party chose that road. They could have just made the smart choice for the kids and our country, but to them, everything is political.
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